Baldwin County comissioners decide to stay with coach class for China flight, while state officials fly in business class

BAY MINETTE, Ala. -- Three Baldwin County commissioners set to take a 14-hour flight to China to participate in an investor conference June 6-11 will be flying coach or paying the difference for a business-class upgrade, they said last week.

County Administrator Michael Thompson said many of the state representatives also making the trip will be flying in the more expensive and more comfortable business class. But, Baldwin policy mandates any flights be booked for coach class when paid by the county. If commissioners want an upgrade, the policy states, they pay the difference out of their own pockets.

Thompson said state officials began booking the flight late last week, and commissioners would have to vote to waive the policy to book business class on the long flight. Planning to attend the conference are Commission Chairman Charles "Skip" Gruber and Commissioners Ed Bishop and Wayne Gruber. Commissioner Frank Burt declined.

"Personally, for me, I think coach is adequate," Bishop said. "I haven't decided for certain I'm going yet, and with the oil approaching -- if it is close we would be foolhardy to leave."

Gov. Bob Riley asked commissioners to attend the conference to show support for Hybrid Kinetic Motors, a start-up company that could bring thousands of jobs to Baldwin County at a $4 billion plant proposed just east of Bay Minette.

Industry recruiters told local officials, Thompson said, that people from Georgia and other potential sites had been actively pursing HK Motors in an effort to steal the plant from Baldwin County.

"We don't have a signed agreement with HK," said Gruenloh. "There are others still vying. I can't overstress the importance of strengthening the relationship with this county and the leaders of the company."

Gruber said adding the plant at a proposed megasite in the county would be a huge financial boost and would be a great way to broaden the county's tax base.

Under a plan unveiled last year, HK Motors, a Pasadena, Calif.-based subsidiary, would start production in Baldwin County in 2013. The cars built there would run mainly on compressed natural gas, backed up by electric batteries and a small gasoline tank.

The company expects to build 300,000 vehicles each year at the outset, with production increasing to 1 million by 2018. The firm predicts that at least 5,000 job will be created.

With natural-gas-fueled vehicles making up only a fraction of this nation's auto market, HK Motors' ability to deliver on its projections has been questioned. Three possible master plans for the proposed factory were revealed in March, however, for the plant to be built on a 3,000-acre site east of Bay Minette. Next on the company's agenda is the purchase of a lithium battery plant in China.

Hybrid Kinetic Group Ltd., the parent company of the proposed auto plant, shifted its focus to the alternative fuel automobile market and lost millions in 2009, reports show.

The company lost $16.2 million in 2009, after making a profit of $40.1 million in 2008, according to an annual report released in March. The downward swing was due to the sale of a subsidiary in 2008, the company said, and ramped up investments last year in preparation for the new local venture.

For the HK trip, commissioners said they were wary of waiving the policy and facing the public's perception of officials taking a luxury flight. The three commissioners set to take the trip are also up for re-election in Tuesday's primary.

Thompson said the county has money budgeted for travel, and the trip will be paid for using that money. Officials said Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery is also slated to make the trip.

Commissioners said that business class would be an easier flight, allowing them more productivity on the day they arrive, but that benefit couldn't outweigh the negative perception of the upgrade.

Bay Minette Mayor Jamie Tillery will also be making the trip with Riley and commissioners, she confirmed Friday by e-mail.

"Yes, as mayor of Bay Minette, it is my honor to represent our city and North Baldwin Utilities. Together we will present our resolve and support with HK Motors for the future of this innovative automotive industry for the growth and prosperity of our county."